, Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for an inspiring, dynamic, and committed Pastoral Lead to join Bluebank School, a new Acorn Education provision opening in January 2026. This co-educational school will support up to 60 pupils aged 5–18 with complex needs, including Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.
About the Role
We are seeking an inspiring and committed Pastoral Lead to join Bluebank School, You will lead and coordinate all aspects of pastoral care, ensuring the emotional wellbeing, safety, and holistic development of pupils with SEMH needs. You will develop safeguarding strategies, behaviour support systems, and personalised care plans, while guiding staff in inclusive practices to help all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Leadership & Safeguarding: Act as the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), monitor incidents, liaise with external agencies, and contribute to a multidisciplinary team.
2. Behaviour & Pastoral Leadership: Develop behaviour support strategies, lead and mentor pastoral staff, oversee schedules, coordinate attendance and welfare interventions, and promote restrictive-practice reduction.
3. Student Support: Provide direct support to pupils in crisis, mentor students, and coordinate interventions with staff, families, and external agencies.
4. Policy, Quality & Compliance: Contribute to school policies, maintain records, and operate internal quality assurance processes.
5. General Duties: Uphold school values, participate in SLT and pastoral meetings, engage in professional development, ensure health and safety compliance, and undertake other duties as requested by the Headteacher.
Essential:
6. Proven experience in pastoral care, safeguarding, or SEMH interventions;
7. Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation;
8. Experience managing and mentoring staff;
9. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
10. Analytical skills for behaviour and attendance data;
11. Training in trauma-informed practice or restorative approaches;
12. Commitment to the school’s values;
13. Full UK driving licence.
Supporting Statement Guidance
Please include a short statement telling us:
14. A little about yourself and why you are interested in this position.
15. Why you believe you are suitable for the role, referring to the job description.
16. Details of your relevant skills and experience.
17. How you would contribute to the role and the school if appointed.
About us
Bluebank School is a brand-new Acorn Education provision set to open in January 2026 in Whittington Moor, Derbyshire. The co-educational school will cater for up to 60 pupils aged 5 to 18, offering specialist support for children and young people with complex needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.
We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.
Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
18. Life Assurance
19. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
20. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
21. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
22. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
23. Cycle to Work Schemes
24. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
25. Critical illness cover
26. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!*
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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